Tag Archives: erotic romance

She called out to him through time and space…an impossible dream…a hopeful imagining. Having heard her plea, he would not stop until he’d claimed her.

Mavim aches for the woman he left behind on Sanguinoss. She was a princess, a member of the royal family of elite vamps. His Amante…his love. Though he dreams of her every night, and pines for her every single day, he knows he cannot have her. He believes her dead.

But when Mavim intercepts the ghost of a communication from his lovely Fania, a communication which was probably engaged weeks or months earlier, he realizes she might still live!

Can Mavim find the only woman he’s ever loved and save her from an evil nemesis who covets her for his own and will stop at nothing to have her? Or will he finally look into his lover’s eyes…touch her satin skin…only to feel her slip from his grasp all over again?

Mavim AgDurness closed his eyes and set his jaw against the ravening blood lust. His stomach growled its need, the muscles around it tightening as it twisted hungrily. He’d gone longer and longer without taking sustenance of late, so the debilitating hunger had become a nearly constant companion over his months on the primitive planet. Though the surface of the thriving alien planet called Earth was covered in walking, talking edibles, snacking from them was like eating nothing but mealfollows. All empty calories and no real sustenance.

Mavim snacked only when his body absolutely demanded it. And then only quickly, in the dark, with such a sense of revulsion he could barely keep the blood from boiling back up and spewing out on his shoes.

Always when he fed, he would see her face. So pale, so perfect. It was his undoing. For Mavim, no other female would do. None could take her place.

So he suspected he would simply fade away over time, as was the Sangui way of dying. And be launched into the sky for his final journey to Maja, protector of souls. Then his pain would finally end.

The comm unit spat sparks and sound flared briefly from it. Mavim’s head snapped up in surprise and crashed against the underside of the console. He swore in several intergalactic languages and pushed out from under the console, grabbing his tools as he moved into the open.

The ship’s communications had been fried when they crossed the atmospheric barriers to Earth, and he’d been trying to get them working again for months, scavenging resources from other parts of the ship and trying to repurpose things he’d managed to locate on Earth.

It had been long since the Sangui had heard from others of their kind. Though only a relative few had managed to escape the dying planet Sanguinoss, the small band of elite vampires living on Earth were keenly aware of the existence of others who’d escaped before the infection took them down.

And even more keenly aware of those who hadn’t managed to escape.

The lights on the comm flared to life and a blurry figure appeared briefly before snapping into blackness again.

It had spun too quickly through the visual cogs within the unit to be recognizable, but Mavim had been able to tell it was a woman.

Lights flared again. The same shape, slightly clearer this time, exploded onto the screen. “Mav…” Renegade star spikes ate the rest of the transmission, turning the words she spoke to a garbled mash. But Mavim had heard enough to make his pulse jump. He dropped his tools and slammed a hand over the comm, quickly adjusting levers until the image he’d seen flashed past again and then snapping a lock on the transmission before it could fitz away.

The pale oval staring back at him was marred by filth. The rich mahogany brown of her curls lank with oil. But the lush, cranberry lips were unmistakable.

The soft lilt of her bedroom voice distinctive.

Mavim had heard it every night in his dreams since he’d risked life and future to place her mangled form inside a burial capsule and send her on her final passage to Maja.

“Mav… Help… Gleschutions have tak…”

And there the transmission faded away, leaving behind only the terrified gaze of the woman he loved above all else. And the horrifying realization that she was in danger. And that she’d risked everything to try to get word to him.

Mavim touched the screen, tracing it with a shaky finger as tears slipped hot and unnoticed down his cheeks.

Blood tears.

Tears of deep, unending agony.

Then the comm blinked out again and her visage was ripped from his sight. Mavim threw back his head and roared, mad with the agony of her loss. Yet again.

In honor of this fun new release, Sam is offering readers a chance at a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Look for the Reader Appreciation Giveaway information in the back of each book! (Giveaway is available until May 11th)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

If you haven’t already connected, Sam would love it if you Liked/Followed her wherever you enjoy hanging out online. Here are her online haunts:

Bliss Drake has blue screened. Suffering from a broken heart and a dead computer, she finds herself standing in the middle of an electronics store nursing sweaty palms and lusty thoughts.

Tall, dark, and sexy, Brad Hoffman is a self-proclaimed nerd. When the beautiful black woman with a serious fear of computers starts talking about flinging herself into a display case at his favorite electronics store, he’s happy to offer his…erm…services.

Can a computer-phobic beauty and a sexy nerd ever sync up? Only if they can cobble together the right bits ‘n bytes!!

Pauline, Night Owl Reviews!

“Sam Cheever delivers a fantastic modern day love story in this sweet and steamy offering. The witty banter and the comfortable rapport between the hero and heroine had me feeling that they belonged together.”

~~*~~

The moon was just visible, fat and round, above the tree line. A soft breeze wafted across Bliss’ face as she stood in the yard and watched Brad throw a tennis ball for the largest dog. He was a beauty. Massive and muscular, with cream and gray fur and one blue eye. Bliss wondered what kind of dog he was.

Around him skittered the three smaller dogs, which, though barely bigger than her snow boots, had personalities that seemed every bit as big as their massive brother. They took turns snagging the tennis ball away from the dog Brad called Mixxer and running off with it, ears flying, stumpy legs pumping, and long tails trailing out behind them as they dodged and ducked and totally outmaneuvered the much bigger dog. Before she realized what she was doing, she found herself laughing at their antics.

Suddenly she realized she was almost enjoying herself, despite the fact that she was outside, dressed like a refugee from a natural disaster, with dirt and grass under her shoes and bugs buzzing threateningly around her head. She kept an eagle eye on the buzzing monsters, determined to keep them away from her virgin skin. Brad had given her a small, blue fan with bug repellent inside and she was frantically waving it around her body, warding off any bug that was ballsy or hungry enough to make a run at her despite the repellent-filled air she blew at them.

Bliss momentarily forgot her protective efforts when Sissy suddenly broke away from the pack and flew toward her, ears flying and tongue lolling. She knelt down to pet the tiny dog and immediately felt the sting of something on her arm. With a squeal of alarm, Bliss slapped at it and grimaced as her hand came away coated with something that looked suspiciously like legs. “Argh! Bleck!”

A clean, white rectangle appeared before her face. “Use this. Mosquitoes are one of the downsides of country living I’m afraid.”

Bliss looked up into his bright green eyes and felt a clunk somewhere in the vicinity of her stomach. His warm, yummy smell enveloped her, pushing away all thoughts of bugs and things that go buzz in the night.

Oh yeah, she had it bad. “Thanks.”

Bliss swiped bug guts off her hand and arm and tried to give the handkerchief back to him.

He shook his head. “Keep it until we get back. You might need it again.”

She grimaced but nodded. Tiny paws hit her calves and she glared down at Sissy. “It’s all your fault I got bitten. If I hadn’t been looking at how cute you were running over to me I would have headed that one off.”

The little dog’s tail drooped, tucking tightly between her legs, and she whimpered.

Bliss’ eyes widened. “Oh my god! I was just teasing. Why does it look so sad?”

Brad reached down and plucked Sissy off the ground, handing her to Bliss without warning. “Dogs are very sensitive to tone of voice, Bliss. And they don’t recognize sarcasm.”

Bliss clamped the little creature to her chest with both arms, holding her so tightly Sissy squeaked in alarm. “I-I don’t know how to hold it.”

Brad touched her arm. “It’s okay, you don’t have to hold her so tightly, just relax and she’ll snuggle in.”

Bliss forced her muscles to unclench and the little dog gave her a kiss on the nose in response, then she settled down in Bliss’ arms, one fat little leg drooping limply over her forearm as she settled her head in the crook of Bliss’ elbow with a soft sigh.

“Shall we take a walk?”

Bliss nodded, her brown eyes wide. She was sure she’d fall and drop the little creature that lay so trusting in her arms. But she followed Brad and the other dogs as they headed toward the side yard, where a wide, vegetation-free path began at the edge of the woods and disappeared into something that looked like it might have come from Aesop’s Fables.

Brad stopped at the entrance to the path and waited for her to catch up. The dogs ran ahead, barking excitedly. “I keep the path pretty clear, but you’ll need to keep an eye out for tree roots and fallen branches. Just stay close to me and I’ll make sure you don’t take a header down the hill.”

“Don’t make fun of my Tractor King rubber specials. You can hike, swim, and excavate diamond mines in those shoes.”

Bliss laughed, entering the path at his side. “Unfortunately, what you can’t do is look fashionable in them.”

Brad shrugged. “Who needs fashion when you have function?”

“Me. I need fashion, Brad. You might as well know that about me right now.” She stopped and gave him an earnest look. “Since you shared your completely embarrassing obsession for small, hairy creatures with me tonight, you might as well know my worst too. I make it a point to never look less than perfectly pulled together. My nails are sacred sculptures, I’m passionate about shoes to a fault, and my clothes take up half of my twelve hundred square foot apartment. I worship at the altar of looking pretty and abhor dirt and bugs of every kind. Most importantly, I resist fresh air and wide open spaces at all costs. I’m the consummate city mouse.”

“Even a city mouse takes a vacation to the country now and then.” His warm breath, still spicy with the remnants of dinner, slid across her face, making her belly clench low and hard.

Bliss blinked. When had he moved so close? And why didn’t she step away? “Not…” She took a deep breath as his hand found the skin of her arm. “Not this city mouse.”

He lowered his head, moving his lips a whisper away from hers. “And yet…here you are.” The touch of his lips against hers was explosive. Bliss’ body fell into him of its own accord. She seemed to have no control over her hips as they folded toward his under slight pressure from the large hand in the small of her back.

The night buzzed with the sound of insects and the rustle of nocturnal creatures. In the near distance, Brad’s dogs barked and plunged happily through the tall grass and weeds between the trees. A soft breeze picked up, rustling through Bliss’ hair, which was now mostly dog spit free thanks a few minutes spent in front of the bathroom mirror.

She didn’t notice any of it. Her whole essence, her every thought and sensation, were tied up in the man in her arms.

His scent, the feel of his heated skin beneath her questing fingers, the sound of his heart beating against hers…all those things encompassed her, drowning out the rest.

He turned his head slightly and deepened the kiss, pulling the very air from her lungs. She felt a moan bubbling up as his hands skimmed over her back, rubbing it in gentle, sensual circles that made something low in her body tighten with need.

Bliss slipped her fingers through his hair, so soft, like silk against her fingers, and fought to get closer to him. She wanted to touch every inch of his long, lean body with hers, wanted so much to grind herself against the hard ridge she could feel beneath his jeans, lose herself in the feel of him…his incredible scent…but something was in the way.

Something that was starting to wriggle and give off tiny little squeaks of alarm. Sissy!

Under a Ravening Moon, the Halloween Love series box set, follows the Lupire, a race of elite protectors with both werewolf and vampire in their bloodlines, and the beautiful black females of the Lupa Guardian pack. These two elite groups share a common goal…to protect the magical and human worlds from evil. What they don’t realize…yet…is that their destinies are also intertwined under mating magic…the most powerful force any of them will ever encounter.

~~*~~

Kidren Bell wiped sweat from his brow and forced himself to keep moving forward through the dense wood. He could almost feel the moon pulsing against his skin, driving every cell in his body into hyper drive, so that his skin jumped with it and his senses throbbed under its pull.

His fangs ached with the desire to drop, his mouth watered with anticipation of the blood his body craved. When he lifted a hand to push moisture laden leaves from his path his hand was shaking.

Kidren was in a bad way.

He’d always had trouble under a full moon. But a Blue Moon was more than twice as powerful. And to make matters worse, the air was thick with the scent and call of the mating heat. He knew he was getting close to the core of Lupa Guardian territory. He could feel the pack’s excitement in the air.

They’d formed a wide ranging circle around him the moment he’d stepped into the wood. Staying well out of sight, but close enough to quickly surround him if they felt he meant them harm, the powerful pack wasn’t taking any chances with a dominant predator in their midst.

Even if he was there to help.

He smelled the blood well before he reached pack Headquarters. It wasn’t an appetizing scent, despite the tang of fear attached to it. A reluctant aphrodisiac to those of his kind.

It was old blood. Cold blood. A chilling reminder of a violent death rather than the hot enticement of vibrant life.

Kidren became aware of another scent as he stepped into the wide clearing. It was a much more enticing scent. In fact, it made his fangs drop and his groin tighten immediately.

She stepped in front of him almost before he knew she was there. She stood with her legs spread and her hands on softly rounded hips, looking like a warrior.

She’d been waiting for him.

He growled his surprise, showing her his fangs before he could stop himself. Amazingly, her answering growl didn’t fill him with aggression.

It made his cock tighten with need.

She was very tall, very lean, with rounded hips and full breasts. Her legs were impossibly long and shapely, with the highly toned musculature of a creature who spends an inordinate amount of her time running and leaping.

Her small, heart shaped face was framed by a short afro, which was the perfect counterpoint to her features.

Her golden eyes were almond shaped and turned up slightly at the outside corners, giving her an exotic look. Her nose was long and straight, flaring slightly at the bottom as she scented him. Her mouth was a burgundy tinted cupid’s bow, which was currently pursed with disapproval.

Her skin was the color of rich earth, frosted with morning dew.

She made his fangs pulse.

Lanna Sato clenched her muscles and held her breath in an attempt to retain control. The male standing before her was blasting pheromones like a window air conditioning unit set on high.

With the blue moon and the mating heat already upon her, Lanna could barely function as it was. Now she had a brutal murder to deal with, and a strange male intruding on her world. It was the last thing she needed at that moment. Especially when the new male looked to be nearly seven feet tall and weighed around two fifty, most of it muscle. The man stretched the bounds of a soft, charcoal gray t-shirt and tested the seams on a fashionably tattered pair of jeans. His arms arced away from his lean torso, too laden with muscle to rest against his body, and the fists that were clenched at his sides were the size of snack plates.

He had longish, curly, light brown hair that rested against the thick column of his neck and fell across a wide brow in a charmingly unruly fashion. His eyes were a deep, turquoise blue, like the Mediterranean Sea.

Lanna’s mouth watered as she took in his wide mouth. His lips looked full enough to nibble and soft enough to suck.

She bit back a sigh and glared at him. “I presume you’re the elite protector sent by the Vampire Commission?”

The Commission was the ruling body for all things paranormal in the States. When something went awry in the supernatural world, the Commission sent out a Lupire, one of their top cops, to deal with it.

USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

The Chasing Eros box set includes three books featuring Cupids, the Gods of Love, and their struggle against their own weaknesses and magical interference to find love. Chasing Eros is set in a magical world that navigates between modern day Earth and golden Olympus–City of the Gods.Book 1: Eros Unbridled (Formerly Nocked Over)

In the battle for true love, sometimes those who aren’t willing to fight sustain the most damage.

Like generations of Cupids before her, Daphne Charissa is doomed to a long and loveless life. Tall, smart and sexy, Bion Chronos is everything she’s ever wanted in a man…and nothing she can ever have. The Fates have decreed that none of the Cupid race will ever know lifelong love. But love has a funny way of testing fate, and the power of a woman’s tears should never be underestimated.

Book 2: Eros Unchecked (Formerly Nocked Asunder)

Love can grow amid monsters and misunderstandings. If only she has the strength to grasp it.

Athena Googlios’ new client is everything she thinks she wants in a lover. But Damian Leandar is a man of dangerous secrets and complex problems. Tormented by mythological beasts and struggling with her own innate prejudice…Athena is in danger of letting her perfect man slip away. Just as she realizes how much she wants him to stay.

Book 3: Eros Uncensored (Formerly Nocked Senseless)

He might have been high on Brimstone when he met her. But he wasn’t too drugged to recognize a good thing when she stuck a knife under his chin!

Hermes figured he had no future, so he gave up, wasting his days inhaling Brimstone in a Succubi House on Olympus. Cursed from birth, Nidras knew her future was sketchy at best. But the last thing she intended to do was give up. She thought she had to fight the curse alone, but she never counted on a drug muddled Cupid setting his sights on her and gumming up the works. Especially one as sexy and fun as Hermes. So what if he didn’t have the first clue how to protect himself in her dangerous world? It didn’t stop him from trying!Reviewer love for the stories in the box set!

5 Hearts! “…a book that literally rocks with fun and eroticism. This is one of many of this author’s tales that turn a fact of life we can relate to into a book we’ll find hard to put down.” ~ Dee Dailey, The Romance Studio

“There is only one thing I can say about this book………FANTABULOSO!!!!!!!! I just couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read it again…..and again….and again….and..yeah okay, you get the idea…”~Seriously Reviewed

“A total Hum-Dinger!!! Captivating characters, sexy men, twists and turns, GREAT SEX!!! and an ending that will bring a smile to your face. A MUST read for all who love mythology. *SNAPS* Sam, rest assured that my eyes will be peeled for your name for many years to come :)”~ Seriously Reviewed

“With such vivid imagery, totally hot men, keep you on your toes action and sex that will burn up the sheets, this title is not one that you want to miss.”~ Seriously Reviewed

From Eros Uncensored:

Inside the castle, we kept to the walls and shadows down a maze of long, stone hallways. My inner compass told me we were heading toward the back of the palace, deep into its ugly, stone bowels. The air was cold, damp and smelled like mildew. The stone walls we scraped against were covered in green slime. The floor was slick with the same green stain.

My curly toed shoes didn’t have much traction against the slime. It was all I could do to stay upright.
The only light in the halls came from the occasional torch, sending smelly, black oil smoke into the air to mix with the mildew.

All around us the skitter of little critter feet danced across the stone floor. Probably rats.

“I like what he’s done with the place.”

“Shh!”

I lowered my voice. “This place is like a bad cliché.”

She glared at me but didn’t respond.

We climbed several sets of stone stairs and emerged into a larger, slightly better lit area. The large, wooden door opposite the stairwell was guarded.

I looked at Nidras and sneered.

The two gremlins were about three feet tall. They had soft, dark brown fur covering their bodies and a lighter, golden fur on their faces.

Their brown eyes were enormous and soft, giving them a decidedly squeezable look.

Nidras shook her head and stepped out, knives in hand.

The gremlins blinked once, twice and then were suddenly airborne. They hit us in a wash of fur and froth, their tiny little fur faces transformed in the blink of an eye into gaping maws filled with razor sharp teeth.
My rabid teddy bear clamped its teeth over the forearm I’d instinctively thrown up to protect my face and worked it with surprising strength. I swung my arm hard in an attempt to dislodge it but the thing held on, its teeth ripping through skin, muscle and even bone as I tried to shake it off me.

In my panic I momentarily forgot to use my sword.

Nidras had flung her gremlin to the ground and was plunging a knife into its tiny chest. I couldn’t get my teddy bear off me.

Finally, in desperation, I grabbed my sword and pulled it free with my left hand, arcing it through the air toward the furry little body.

The gremlin swung its back legs up and wrapped them around my arm, making itself too small a target for me to reach with my sword. Unless I wanted to lop my own arm off.

Pain radiated from my torn and bleeding arm. I was pretty sure I’d have a big scar.

I looked up and saw Nidras standing with her arms crossed, one dark eyebrow lifted in a definite “I told you so” expression. Her knives were back in their sheaths.

“You could help me here.”

She shrugged. “It’s just an oversized teddy bear.”

Okay, I probably deserved that.

I swung around and slammed the gremlin up against the wall. My elbow screamed from the impact but the thing stopped chewing on my arm and blinked. I slammed it a second and then third time, finally managing to drop it to the ground at my feet.

Blood ran from my arm as I jammed my sword into the gremlin’s chest, finishing it off.

I motioned toward the door. “After you.”

Nidras’ face softened as she looked at my torn arm. “Let me heal that for you.”

I shook my head. “I’m wearing it as a reminder that I’m an ass.”

Her perfect, peach-tinted lips tipped up slightly at the corners. “How about if I heal it and just keep telling you you’re an ass?” When I still hesitated she offered, “I can leave a scar to remind you.”

I thought about this for a minute. My hand was already going numb and I figured it would be hard to use my sword soon. “Okay.”

“Watch the door while I work.” Nidras placed exquisitely soft hands over my forearm and closed her eyes.
Energy and light flooded the area around and under her hands and I gasped as intense heat infused tender, torn flesh. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I kept one eye on the door as pain seared up my arm and made my pulse pound in my temples.

Finally the pain and heat slid away and Nidras stepped back.

I looked at my arm. “There’s no scar.”

She shrugged, pulling her knives. “So I lied. I’m pretty sure you’ll have lots more reminders that you’re an ass.”

USA Today Bestselling Author Sam Cheever writes romantic paranormal/fantasy and mystery/suspense, creating stories that celebrate the joy of love in all its forms. Known for writing great characters, snappy dialogue, and unique and exhilarating stories, Sam is the award-winning author of 50+ books and has been writing for over a decade under several noms de plume.

Apart they are pain and death…apocalyptic. Together they are fire and magic…destiny.

He’s a warrior, a bounty hunter in a world turned upside down. She’s his latest bounty…a creature of dark power. As everything in their world implodes, they must work together to set it right, while the fire burning between them threatens to consume everything in its path.

~~*~~

5 Shooting Stars! Redz World Reviews: “…reminiscent of Romeo and Juliet with a post world war feel. Even the secondary characters were unforgettable… Tall, Dark and Apocalyptic by Sam Cheever will engage you on multiple levels; many you won’t even realize until long after you finish the tale.”

Reader Review:“It is worth buying this collection alone just to have Tall, Dark and Apocalyptic by Sam Cheever. This book complete embodies the title of this collection. It is also steamy and well written with really enjoyable characters.”

5 stars! Deb Thomas – Beta Reader/Reviewer:“Sam Cheever has created a world full of death, hope and love. This story pulls you and has you rooting for the good guys and some of the bad guys too. I really enjoyed this story. I would love to read more about the twenty worlds.”

5 stars! – Linda Bass – Goodreads Reviewer:“The year is 2090 and war had destroyed the land. Yiera Ruth days had been lonely except for the ancient nome kindress when she was just a child. Audie Kord, a deadly Soceri warrior, took his orders as gospel. He and his fellow warriors were order by headquarters and search out and kill the evil scourge that the black with had credited. But there was one woman… (who) had managed to elude him time after time! Dare he trust her? and why was his head saying not to trust her but his heart said yes????????”

5 stars – Venus Cahill Reviews: “This story jumps right into the action and never lets up! Yeira is a kick-butt heroine but she’s still easy to relate to, which was surprising considering her amazingly unique situation. Kord is the ultimate Alpha and he took my breath away. He’s masculine and imposing and while he is steadfast and dependable he is also a good man at heart. The setting becomes almost a third lead character and I loved it. I cannot wait to read more stories about the fabulous world this author has created. I will freely admit to being a huge fan of this author, I love her Honeybun series but I was a little apprehensive of reading an apocalyptic story as I rarely enjoy them but this one was a definite exception not only did I thoroughly enjoy it I want more!”

Booked Solid With Virginia C:“Tall, Dark & Apocalyptic is an involving adventure, a passionate love story, and a fascinating look into a fantasy-fueled future world.”

Yeira stopped beside a sparkling, blue creek that wound across one end of the strange forest. “We can rest here.”

Audie looked skyward as a new round of frustrated shrieking sounded. The vultures circled high above the softly swaying branches of the droopy trees, their eerie red gazes hopefully scouring the ground. “We need to find shelter. It’s only a matter of time before they come in here after us.”

Yeira crouched beside the creek, cupping her hands and filling them with the clear blue water. She took a drink and splashed it over her face. “They won’t come in here. The marauders don’t like poivron trees.”

Audie looked at his arms. The bloody gashes hurt like hell but they weren’t bubbling and seething like his face the last time he bumped up against the disgusting birds. “You sure that water’s safe?”

Yeira looked at him, her bright blue gaze sliding over his wounds. “The reborn cleaned the poisons from this wood and coated it with cloaking magics. It’s protected and safe.” She looked around, a slight frown on her face. “For a while anyway. With the nest gone I feel the magic waning.”

Audie followed her lead and crouched beside the creek, submerging his hands and dousing his wounds with the cool, clean water. It stung but seemed a better alternative than infection.

Yeira disappeared and came back a moment later holding one of the fat, white flowers. “Here, give me your arms.”

“Why?”

Her gaze snapped with temper. “Seriously? You don’t trust me yet?”

He did trust her. Against his better judgment. But Audie wasn’t about to admit that. He shrugged. “Simmer down, woman. It was a simple question.”

She shook her head, clearly disgusted with him. “The poivron flower has great healing properties.” Yeira dug her fingertips into the flower’s center and ripped it in half. A thick gel oozed out of the orange middle and a sharp, peppery scent thickened on the air.

She dipped her fingers into the gel and reached for his arm. “This might sting a little.”

Her soft, tapered fingers slid over the ragged, red scratches on his forearms, gentle but firm. The gel went on cool but quickly heated on his skin, so much so that Audie grimaced from the heat. “You sure this is a good idea? It feels like it’s burning me.”

Her response was to dip her fingers again. “Give me your other arm.”

Audie held her determined gaze for a moment and then reluctantly did as she asked. A small smile curved her lips as she observed his reluctance. “Don’t be such a big baby.”

Audie’s irritation with her spiked, but her soft fingers rubbing his torn skin soothed it quickly away. Somehow the heat from the gel she was applying had moved south, causing a secondary fire in his groin.

“Take off your pants.”

Audie blinked, his eyes widening as he realized she was serious. “Um, I don’t think…”

She gave an exasperated sigh. “Don’t worry, hunter, your virtue is safe with me. Those need tending to.” She jerked her head to indicate the deep gouges on his thigh.

“It’s okay. I’ll deal with them later.”

“No. The vulture’s claws aren’t poisonous like their saliva, but they’re hotbeds of disease. If we don’t cleanse and medicate those gouges right away you’ll get a raging infection and might even lose your leg.”

Audie swallowed hard. “Give me the flower, I can do it.” The heat in his groin flared and his cock thickened, jerking under the sticky leather pants. How did he warn her that he was commando under the leather?

“I swear to god, I’ve never seen such a baby. I promise I won’t look at you.”

Irritation flared again and Audie gave her a mean smile. “Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Audie shoved to his feet and reached for the band of his pants, tugging the fastener open. With his gaze fixed on Yeira’s so he could watch her reaction, he dragged his battle pants over his hips and down his thighs.

Her pretty gaze widened. She sucked in a breath as his rock-hard cock popped free, dancing on the air between them.

Yeira licked her lips, murmuring, “Good god in heaven.”

Audie lifted an eyebrow. “I tried to warn you.”

“Shut up, Hunter.” She swallowed visibly, her gaze never wavering from his cock. “Just shut the hell up.” Her delicate fingers twitched as if she wanted to reach across the space and touch him. Suddenly Audie wanted that too.